Electrically operated merchandise vending machine



Jan. 5, 1965 w. c. PHILLIPS ETAL 3,164,294

ELECTRICALLY OPERATED MERCHANDISE VENDING MACHINE Filed Jan. 21, 1963 l3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS WILLIAM C. PHILLIPS Rooemcu W. PHILLIPS WILLIAM H. CALLAHAN Jan. 5, 1965 w. c. PHILLIPS ETAL 3,164,294

ELECTRICALLY OPERATED MERCHANDISE VENDING MACHINE Filed Jan. 21, 1963 15 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVE NTOR WILLIAM C. PHILLIPS Roosmcx W. PHILLIPS wfiumnm Jan. 5, 1965 w. c. PHILLIPS ETAL 3,164,294

I ELECTRICALLY OPERATED MERCHANDISE VENDING MACHINE Filed Jan. 21, 1963 13 Sheets-Sheet 5 04 INVENTORS l2 WILLIAM C. PHILLIPS RODERICK W. PHILLIPS WILLIAM H. cALl-AHAN Jan. 5, 1965 w. c. PHILLIPS ETAL 3,164,294

ELECTRICALLY OPERATED MERCHANDISE VENDING MACHINE Filed Jan. 21, 1963 13 eets-S eet 4 IIo 62 i.

I ,,I 9% IZ l3 Nb i '4, I58 I .1 I36 sol |IlHH// INVENTORS WILLIAM C. PHILLIPS Roosmcu W. PHILLIPS WILHAM H. CALLAHAN 1965 w. c. PHILLIPS ETAL 3,164,294

LECTRICALLY OPERATED MERCHANDISE VENDING MACHINE Filed Jan. 21 1963 15 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS WILLIAM (.Pmuws Roosmcx W. PHILLIPS WILLIAM H, CALLAHAN 1965 w. c. PHILLIPS ETAL 3,164,294

ELECTRICALLY OPERATED MERCHANDISE VENDING MACHINE Filed Jan. 21, 1963 13 Sheets-Sheet 6 Egizl I62 INVENTORS WILLIAM CPHILLIPS Rooemcx w.Pm|.L|Ps WILLIAM H.CAu.AHAN

1965 w. c. PHILLIPS ETAL 3,164,294

LECTRICALLY OPERATED MERCHANDISE VENDING MACHINE Filed Jan. 21 1963 13 Sheets-Sheet 7 I60 I62 lO l6 2 l4 F I5 A I64 ig I04- l 4 I65 02 I 92 9O l I 2 INVENTORS WILLIAM C. PHILLIPS RODERICK M PHILLIPS WILLIAM H. CALLAHAN Jan. 5, 1965 w. c. PHILLIPS ETAL 3,

ELECTRICALLY OPERATED MERCHANDISE VENDING MACHINE Filed Jan. 21 1963 13 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTORS WILLIAM C. PHILLIPS RGOERICK W. PHILLIPS WILLIAM H. CALLAHAN 1965 w. c. PHILLIPS ETAL 3,164,294

ELECTRICALLY OPERATED MERCHANDISE VENDING MACHINE 13 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed Jan. 21,

INVENTORS WILLIAM C. PHILLIPS RoDERICk W. PHILLIPS ZZZ WILLIAM. H. CALLAHAN ATV,

1965 w. c. PHILLlPS ETAL 3,164,294

ELECTRICALLY OPERATED MERCHANDISE VENDING MACHINE Filed Jan. 21, 1963 I 15 Sheets-Sheet 1o 1,11,11,11 I'll! 222 ZZI 34 INVENTORS WILLIAM C.PI-IILLIP$ Roosmcu W. PHILUPS WILLIAM H. CALLAHAN Jan. 5, 1965 w. c. PHILLIPS ETAL 3,164,294

ELECTRICALLY OPERATED MERCHANDISE VENDING MACHINE Filed Jan. 21 1963 l5 Sheets-Sheet ll 8 0 2i H 3 L 2 u 1 All Eg w

N L2 N N mm - a 9 LL 00 E l I i p INVENTORS L i H. WILLIAM C PHILLIPS F3 ROD RICK MPH/m5 3 WILLIAM H. (MLAHA/U m Jan. 5, 1965 Filed Jan. 21, 1963 w. c. PHILLIPS ETAL 13 Sheets-Sheet 12 INVENTORS WILLIAM C. PHlLLI S ODERICK W, PHILLIPS ILLIAM H. CALLAHAN Jan. 5, 1965 w. c. PHILLIPS ETAL 3,164,294

ELECTRICALLY OPERATED MERCHANDISE VENDING MACHINE Filed Jan. 21, 1963 l3 Sheets-Sheet 13 will 75 INV NTORS WILLIAM C HILLIPS. RODERICK M). PHILLIPS WILLIAM H. CALLAHAN United States Patent ELECTRICALLY G'iERATED MEKQHANDlSE VENDING MACHENE William C. Phillips, Roderick Phillips, and Wiliiam H. Qallahau, Aurora, ill assignors to Lelrtro-Vend (Ior Aurora, iii., a corporation of Delaware Filed Jan. 21, 1963, Ser. No. 252,63tl 19 Claims. (Cl. 22l84) This invention relates to vending machines in general, and in particular to a vending machine capable of vending various types of products.

In the vending industry, the most significant cost aspect of vending machines is maintenance. Maintenance not only includes necessary repairs and replacements for the vending machine itself, but also the loading of the machine with the products to be dispensed. The greater the capacity of the machine as far as the number of units that it can hold, then normally the less often that the machine would have to be serviced. Also, the greater the variety of products that can be displayed and dispensed from a vending machine, the more sales that can be expected from the machine. Also, if the vending machine is constructed in accordance with an understanding of human nature, less repairs are likely to be needed.

With the above in mind, the general object of the invention has been to provide a vending machine that Will increase the sales therefrom and which at the same time, will reduce the required maintenance thereof.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a vending machine that more fully utilizes the space therein for the storage of salable products, and has consequently a greater capacity than prior art machines of the same size.

Another specific object of the invention is to provide a vending machine having a selector mechanism that is adapted to withstand abuse when, for example, a tres passer attempts to activate the selector mechanism without inserting any money.

Another specific object of this invention is to provide a vending machine having a selector mechanism that is ar ranged so that only one push button can be activated at a time to prevent possible cheating and abuse of the machine.

It is another specific object of this invention to provide a vending machine that is readily loaded by the serviceman so as to operate on the first-in first-out principle, that is, the products first loaded into the machine will be the products first dispensed.

Another specific object of this invention is to provide a vending machine that is provided with a product storing and dispensing unit that is rotatable and capable of being loaded from more than one side.

It is another specific object of this invention to provide a vending machine having a storage and dispensing unit composed of a plurality of individually rotatable storage and dispensing units that are individually and selectively activated and rotated by a common drive means.

Another specific object of this invention is to provide a vending machine that is arranged so that the product that the purchaser sees is the product that the purchaser receives, therefore, enabling the vending machine to be loaded with a large variety of products.

Another specific object of this invention is to provide an electromechanical mechanism that readily adapts the vending machine for use in dispensing comparatively small items such as mint and gum and other items of comparable size.

Another specific object of the invention is to provide an electromechanical mechanism that is readily usable in vending machines and is adapted to dispense mint and gum and other items of comparable size, and which dis- EdfiQZQ-i Patented Jan. 5, 1965 penses the mint and gum into a delivery slot by pushing the mint or gum from its storage position.

Another specific object of this invention is to provide a vending machine having a retractable cabinet support means associated therewith to guard against any tipping of the vending machine cabinet when the vending machine is being serviced.

Another specific object of the invention is to provide a vending machine with storage and dispensing units that can accommodate articles of merchandise of various sizes.

Another specific object of the invention is to provide a vending machine having a delivery door interlock that prevents selection of an article of merchandise if the delivery door is not closed.

Another specific object of the invention is to provide a vending machine that has movable means provided therein that inhibit a pilferer from reaching through the delivery door into the machine to remove articles of merchandisc from their storage area.

Briefly, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, a vending machine is provided having a cabinet for supporting the various mechanisms contained therein. Products such as, for example, candy, pastry, gum and mint, can all be dispensed from the vending machine and the vending machine is provided with distinct types of storage and dispensing units. One type is utilized for storage and dispensing of candy and pastry products or any products of a comparable size, and the second type is utilized for storage and dispensing of gum and mint or any product of a comparable size. The first type of storage and dispensing unit has a number of columns provided therein that are selectively and independently rotatable and which are constructed in an endless chain-type of arrangement. The first type of storage and dispensing unit is pivotally positioned in the cabinet and can be swung down when the cabinet is opened, so that the front and back of the first type storage and dispensing unit can be loaded by the Serviceman. A flexible plastic curtain is provided with the first type storage and dispensing unit which travels in a track around the outside of the endless chaintype construction and is movable from the back to the front, to prevent the stored products from falling out when the storage and dispensing unit is pivoted downwardly, to enable the rear side thereof to be loaded with the dispensable products. Each storage column is selectively advanced one step each time a selector is activated corresponding to the rotatable column. The second type of storage and dispensing units is utilized to dispense gum and mint and the gum or mint is stacked one on top of the other in separate columns and the columns themselves can be separated and stacked one on top of the other. An electromechanical mechanism is positioned adjacent the bottom of each column, and when activated and cycled pushes the bottom item which is gum, mint or the like, into a common delivery tray and then shuts itself otf. A selector mechanism is provided to activate the first type storage and dispensing unit and an almost identical selector mechanism is provided to activate the second type of storage and dispensing unit. Each selector mechanism is provided with a mechanical interlock that enables only one push button corresponding to a column in its storage and dispensing unit to be activated at a time. An electrical interlock prevents both selectors from being activated at the same time (the first to be energized tie-activates the other). The selector mechanism is supplied with push buttons provided with a clutch mechanism that enables other than the activated push button to be manipulated without having any effect on the selecting process. The selector mechanism associated with the first type or" storage and dispensing unit is provided with means that are activated by a provided delivery door interlock to prevent any selection of an article of merchandise when the delivcry door is not closed. A plurality of transparent windows are provided in the cabinet adjacent the first storage and dispensing units and are so situated that the purchaser can see the products that will be next delivered to the delivery tray when the vending machine is activated. Inasmuch as the first storage and dispensing units are pivoted forward in the cabinet and even though counterbalanced when loaded there is a possibility of the cabinet tipping over, although the cabinet should not tip over, if properly installed. However, a vending machine support assembly is provided in the cabinet so that when the cabinet door is opened, the vending machine support assembly swings out and engages the floor to prevent the cabinet from tipping forward. Further the vending machine is provided with a delivery door interlock assembly which inhibits a pilferer from reaching into the vending machine and dislodging any of the stored articles.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent if the following description is viewed in light of the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a front-elevational view of a vending machine embodying the features of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side-elevati'onal view of the vending machine illustrated in FIG. 1 with a candy-pastry unit ghosted in dotted lines in a loading position;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the vending machine illustrated in FIG. 1 with a candy-pastry unit ghosted in dotted lines in a loading position;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the vending machine illustrated in FIG. I with the door swung open;

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 are fragmentary views illustrating a vending machine support assembly utilized in the vending machine illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged front-elevational view of the vending machine illustrated in FIG. 1 with the door cut away;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of the vending machine illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a portion of the selective drive mechanism utilized in the vending machine illust trated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a view taken along the line II-E.1 in FIG. 9 with certain parts omitted for clarity of description;

FIG. 12 is a front view of a portion of selective drive mechanism utilized in the vending machine illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is a side view of the selective drive mechanism utilized in the vending machine illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 14 through are partial side views of the selective drive mechanism illustrated in FIG. 10 showing the relative positioning of the various parts of the selective drive mechanism during successive positions of the selective drive mechanism;

FIG. 21 is a side view of the mint-gum unit utilized in the vending machine illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 22 is a front view of the mint-gum unit illustrated in FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a partial cross-sectional view of the mintgum unit illustrating the mint-gum activator mechanism in more detail;

FIG. 24 is a partial cross-sectional view of the mintgum unit illustrating the top view of the mint-gum activator mechanism;

FIG. 25 is a fragmentary view of the mint-gum activator mechanism illustrating the side view of the mint-gum activator mechanism;

FIG. 26 is a partially cut away fragmentary top view of one end of the candy-pastry selector mechanism utilized in the vending machine illustrated in FIG. 1 and showing the selector mechanism in a tie-energized condition;

FIG. 27 is a cutaway fragmentary top view of a center portion of the candy-pastry selector mechanism utilized -in the vending machine illustrated in FIG. 1 and showing the selector mechanism in an energized condition;

FIG. 28 is a fragmentary front view of a portion of the candy-pastry selector mechanism illustrated in FIG. partially showing the solenoid lock in assembly;

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional side view of the candypastry selector mechanism showing a selector push button and cooperating associated parts;

FIG. 30 is a fragmentary partially cutaway top view of the other end of the candy-pastry selector mechanism utilized in the vending machine illustrated in FIG. 1 showing the position of the non-activated push buttons and associated parts after another push button activates the selector mechanism;

FIG. 31 is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of the vending machine illustrated in FIG. 1 showing the delivery door interlock assembly;

FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view through one column of a candy-pastry unit; and

FIG. 33 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view of a candy-pastry unit illustrating the interconnection of succeeding L-shaped shelves.

Referring now to the drawings and especially FIGS. 1 through 4, 8 and 9, there is illustrated a vending machine It] comprising a rectangularly shaped cabinet I2 provided with a front door I4 hinged at It? to the cabinet 12. Inside the cabinet 12, there is positioned two candy-pastry units 28 and 22 that are pivotal mounted and normally maintained in an upright position in the cabinet H. The candy-pastry units 2t? and 22 have mounting pins 24 securely attached to each side. The mounting pins 24 and consequently the candy-pastry units 2 9 and 22 are slidably positioned in substantially vertical slots (not shown) formed in candy-pastry support brackets 26 that are in turn securely fastened to the rectangular cabinet 12.

The candy-pastry units 29 and 2.2 are therefore pivotal mounted within the cabinet 12 and can be swung out for loading as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 and as will be described. The pivotal movement of the candy-pastry units 2% and 22 is limited by the candy-pastry unit pivotal limiting means 28 illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 8 and 9 and which comprises a torsion spring 39 wound around and attached at one end to a torsion spring spool 32 with the free or movable end of the torsion spring Sil wound around and securely attached to :a first pulley 34 for movement therewith, tension-lug cable 31 wound around a groove in pulley 34 and then extending up to and around a second pulley 36 and finally being attached at its upper end to latching bar 33. The latching bar 38 is attached to the candy-pastry unit and extends thereacross. The spring spool 32 is conveniently attached to the vending machine cabinet 12 by brackets which are in turn welded or otherwise attached to the vending machine cabinet 12. A stop member 46 is securely attached to the cable 31 which is attached to the torsion spring 3i} to limit the pivotal movement of the candy-pastry units 29 and 22. The stop member 4% attached to cable 31 jams into the second pulley 36 housing when the candy-pastry units 2%) and 22 have been pivoted forward to a predetermined position and prevent any further pivotal travel of the candy-pastry units 20 and 22.

Sl-idably positioned in the cabinet 12 as best illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 8 is a stacked mint-gum unit 42. The mint-gum unit 42 is capable of sliding backward and forward in the cabinet 12 although the means for providing the slid-ability is not shown inasmuch as it is not considered as forming part of the invention.

Also positioned within the cabinet 12 is a vending machine support and door stop assembly 5%. The vending machine support and door stop assembly 5% when the front door 14 is opened swings from an upward position outwardly and downwardly and when the front door Id is completely open rests against the floor so as to prevent the rectangular cabinet 12 from tipping forward, as will be described more clearly. Positioned on the front door 14 is the candy-pastry selector mechanism 45 and projecting through an opening in the front door i-i when the door is closed is the mint-gum selector mechanism 48 :3 which is fastened to the mint-gum unit and coin plate support. These mechanisms 46 and 48 activate the vending machine to begin its cycle to dispense the desired goods to the purchaser as will be seen more clearly. Also positioned on the door 14 is the delivery door interlock assembly 45%}. The delivery door interlock assembly 469 fits up against and is in operable contact with the delivery door 54 positioned on the front door 14 as best shown in FIG. 9. The delivery door interlock assembly 4% is so arranged that no selection can be made of any goods from the candy-pastry units if the delivery door 54 is not in a closed position and also the delivery door interlock assembly 4% is so constructed that one cannot open the delivery door when a selector knob of the candypastry selector 46 is in a depressed position as will be shown.

Also positioned on the front door 14 is a pair of transparent windows 56 which can be composed of glass or a suitable plastic and which enable the items positioned in the candy-pastry units 2t) and 22 to be visible to the purchaser before the purchaser makes his or her selection.

The vending machine is equipped with an electrical circuit (not shown) for programming the vending machine through its operations and also is provided with a coin accumulator that recognizes and marks the coin intake and which redelivers the money to the purchaser in the event that the purchaser changes his mind before selection or for any other reason. However, these pants of the vending machine are not considered to be a portion of the patentable invention and are therefore not described in detail.

Each separate portion of the vending machine will be described in detail before their interrelation will be presented for the purpose of better understanding.

THE CANDY-PASTRY UNITS 20 AND 22 The candy-pastry units 2t} and 22 including individual parts thereof are illustrated in F163. 1 through 4, 8 through 20 and 31 through 33. The candy-pastry units 29 and 22 are pivotabiy positioned in the rectangular cabinet 12 of the vending machine it) and readily pivot outwardly as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. Each candypastry unit 20 and 22 is composed of a plurality of endless chain-type shelf mechanisms 58. The width of the endless cha-in-type shelf mechanisms 58 can vary to be adaptable to receive articles of merchandise of various sizes. As shown in drawin s and especially FIG. 8, the candy-pastry unit 20 is composed of three endless chaintype shelf mechanisms 58 of equal width. The candypastry unit 22 is composed of five endless chain-type shelf mechanisms 58 of various widths. In order to provide standardized candy-pastry units the overall width of the candy-pastry unit 26 and candy-pastry unit 22 is preferably .the same for purposes of interchangeability and assembly. Each endless chain-type shelf mechanism 58 is independently movable. Each time the vending machine 16 is energized, one of the endless chain-type shelf mechanisms 58 will move one dispensing position to dispense candy or pastry or some other article of merchandise to the outer delivery tray 52 and thence to the purchaser.

Each endless chain-type shelf mechanism 53 is comprised of a plurality of L-shaped shelves 6t? (FIGS. 4, 8, 9 and 31 through 33) connected one to the other in an endless chain type arrangement. Each endless chain-type of shelf mechanism 58 is provided with a selectordrive mechanism 62 (FIGS. through 29) which in response to the energizing of the machine and the selection of a particular article of merchandise, engages one specific endless chain-type shelf mechanism 58 and moves that shelf mechanism 58 one dispensing position. Each endless chain-type shelf mechanism 58 is comprised of a pair of spaced rail forming elements 64 spaced apart a distance that is directly related to the width of the particular L-shaped shelf 69 being supported by the pair of spaced rail forming elements 64 (see FIG. 32). Each rail forming element 64 is composed of a flat base member 66 rounded at the top and having the top capable of being telescoped so as to be adjustable to take up any slack due to allowable tolerances in the L-shaped shelves 60. Each rail forming element 64 has various holes punched therein through which common drive shafts and common supporting bars and the actuating relays can be positioned as will become more clear.

The bottom of the illustrated rail forming element 64 is rounded as shown (FIGS. 9, l2, l3 and 31) and may be symmetrical about the vertical axis as viewed, for example, from FIG. 13. If the bottom of every rail forming element 64 is rounded as shown and if the L-shaped shelves 6% associated therewith are of different heights or unequally spaced, the radial travel of each L-shaped shelf of as it moves around the bottom of its associated rail forming elements 64 will vary depending upon its height. Therefore, to provide for uniform radial movement during the time of dispensing an article of merchan disc from the L-shaped shelves 6d the radius of curvature of the bottom of the rail forming elements 64 will have to be adjusted according to the relative height of the associated L-shaped shelves. This might affect the symmetry of the bottom of the rail forming elements 64. However, it is obviously desirable to have each L-shaped shelf as rotate the same number of degrees as it moves around its associated rail forming elements 64 regardless of the relative heights of the various L-shaped shelves 60. 'This necessitates that the radius of curvature of the bottoms of the rail forming elements 64 vary with the height of their associated L-shaped shelves 60.

Integrally formed with the flat base member 66 are a pair of U-shaped guide rails 68 into which roll a plurality of shelf rollers 8i attached to the L-shaped shelves 6% as will be explained. The U-shaped guide rails 68 are integrally formed with the fiat base member 66 and extend vertically as viewed in FIG. 10 but do not extend and go around the top and bottom curved ends of the fiat base member 66. Integraliy formed around the ends of the flat base member 66 are L-shaped guide rails 70. The upper L-shaped guide rails are adjustable to properly tension the endless chain of shelves 60. Positioned be tween the pair of spaced rail forming elements 64 is the selective drive mechanism 62. The pair of rail forming elements 64; are shown spaced apart the required distance by mounting shaft 152 and the common drive shaft 84 but other means can be utilized as can be readily imagined.

An endless chain of L-shaped shelves 6% are formed and positioned in the U-shaped guide rails 68 and the L-shaped guide rails '70 of the pair of spaced rail-forming elements 64. Each L.-shaped shelf 6d has a horizontal leg 72 and a vertical leg 74. The width of the horizontal leg 72 determines the width of the particular individual shelf and the height of the vertical leg 74 determines the spacing between shelves or the height of the next adjacent shelf and preferably the L-shaped shelves 6% of each endless belt-type shelf mechanism 58 are all of the same dimensicns. Attached to the outside face of the vertical leg 74 of each L-shaped shelf 6th is a pair of substantially arcuate fastening brackets 75. The fastening brackets 76 are so shaped that the ends closest to the horizontal leg '72 are spaced further apart than the ends furthest away from the horizontal leg 72 (see FIG. 33). This is done so that the L-shaped shelves oil can be fastened one to the other by means of shelf-connecting shafts 78 that extend through apertures formed in the ends of the fastening brackets 76. The shelf-connecting shafts 78 may be arranged to retain the fastening brackets 76 by any means. Positioned at the outer ends of each shelf connecting shaft '78 are the pair of rotatable shelf rollers $49 which can be rotatably secured to shaft 78 by any means.

Each selector drive mechanism 62 of each endless chaintype shelf mechanism 5'3 is positioned between the pair of spaced rail forming elements 64 and is provided with a pair of drive sprockets 82 that engage the shelf-connecting shafts 78 as the L-shaped shelves 66 move around the bottom of the endless chain-type shelf mechanism 58. A common drive shaft 84 is provided that extends through each endless chain-type shelf mechanism 58 and the common drive shaft 84 can be driven by a drive motor 86 (FIGS. and 11) through a sprocket and chain arrangement not completely shown. Positioned on the common driveshaft 84 is a drive pin moving mechanism 96 (FIGS. 9 through The drive pin moving mechanism 90 comprises a pair of fixed and spaced plates 2 rigidly connected to the common drive shaft 34 and spaced from each other by a plurality of spacers Q4, also aifixed to the common driveshaft 84. Positioned exteriorly of the fixed and spaced plates 92 are a pair of movable plates 96. The movable plates 96 can rotate with respect to the fixed and spaced plates 92 and are held together by a pair of fastening rivets 98, that extend through a pair of arcuate slots 10% formed in the fixed and spaced plates 92. The movable plates 96 are also connected by a drive pin 88 that extends through radial slots 162 formed in the fixed and spaced plates 5 2 and an arcuate slot 194 formed in the movable plates 96. The drive pin 88 and roller has a pair of retaining rings 1156 affixed to each end so as to maintain the drive pin 88 in its fixed position. The movable plates 96 are spring biased by spring 1&8 to the position illustrated in FIG. 13 where further moverhent of the movable plates $6 in a counterclockwise direction is prohibited by the drive pin 88. One end of the spring element 108 is connected to the movable plate 96 at post 110 and the other end of the spring element 108 is connected to the fixed and spaced plate 92 at the post 112. Arcuate slot 1W5 formed in the movable plates is shaped so that when the fixed and spaced plates 2 are rotating relative to the movable plates 9% the drive pin 88 moves radially outward in the radial slot 1%.

Also positioned in the selector drive mechanism 62. is a star-shaped gear member 114-. The star-shaped gear member 114 is rotatably mounted on a mounting shaft 116, that is in turn secured to a frame member 118 by means of a nut and washer 120 and 121 and to one of the pair of spaced rail forming elements 6 1 by means of hammering over the end of the shaft 11-5 or welding or by any means known to those skilled in the art. Also rotatably mounted on the mounting shaft 116 for movement in unison with the star-shaped gear 114- is first drive gear 122. The star-shaped gear member 114 and the first drive gear 122 are separated by a spacer element 124 secured to the mounting shaft 116. When the drive pin 88 is positioned at the outer radial end in slot 1132 it moves into one of the star slots 126 positioned in tle star shaped gear member 114. Also positioned in the selector drive mechanism '62 is a sector-shaped locking member 12%. The sector-shaped locking member 128 has two elongated slots 130 and 132 formed therein. The sector-shaped locking member 128 has an arcuate drive surface 134 formed at one end and the arcuate drive surface 13 i is engaged by the drive pin 88 when the drive pin 88 is at its outward radial position in the slot 102 and when in that position, moves the sector-shaped locking member 128 down, as viewed in FIG. 13. The sector-shaped locking member 128 is positioned so that its elongated slot 132 has the mounting shaft 116 positioned therein and the elongated slot 130 has a mounting shaf 136 positioned therein.

The mounting shaft 136 is secured to the frame member 118 by a nut and washer arrangement 13% and 139 respectively. The opposite end of the mounting shaft 136 is connectedto one of the pair of spaced rail forming elements 64 by any means such as its end being knocked over or welded to member 64.

Rotatably secured to one end of the mounting shaft is a second drive gear 141i. The second drive gear 149 is always in mesh with the first drive gear 122. and rotates whenever the first drive gear 122 is rotated. One

end of the sector-shaped arcuate member 128 is held in position on mounting shaft 136 by retaining ring 142 and the other end of the sector-shaped locking member 128 is positioned between the fixed and spaced plates 92 and is positioned above the star-shaped gear member 114 between plates The sector-shaped locking member 128 is springbiased so as to be normally held up against the spacers 94 which separate the fixed and spaced plates 92, as can be seen in the drawings. The sector-shaped locking member 128 is spring-biased by biasing spring 144. Biasing spring i i-4 is attached to the sector-shaped locking member 128 at one end thereof as shown in the drawings (FIGS. 12 and 13) and to the mounting shaft 116 also as clearly illustrated in the drawings (FIGS. 12 and 13).

The selectondrive mechanism 62 also includes sprocket assembly 14 5. The sprocket assembly 146 comprises a pair of drive sprockets 82, a third drive gear 159, and a mounting shaft 152. The third drive gear 158 is in continuous mesh with the second drive gear and rotates whenever the second drive gear 14% rotates. The third drive gear 150 is rotatably mounted on the mounting shaft 152 and the mounting shaft 152 is secured to one of the pair of spaced rail forming elements 64 by means of a nut Th4 and to the other of the pair of spaced rail forming elements 64 by any means such as having its other end hammered over or by Welding or Whatever is appropriate. The driving sprockets 82 are spaced apart a predetermined distance related to the width of the associated L-shaped shelves 623 and are mounted on a rotatable shaft 156 that is secured to the third drive gear 150 so that when the third drive gear 150 rotates the driving sprockets $2 also rotate. The driving sprockets 32 have a plurality of notches 158 out therein and the notches 1% are adapted to engage the shelf-connecting shafts 78 to thereby drive the endless chain-type shelf mechanism 58 sequentially from one dispensing position to another.

The selective drive mechanisms 62 of each endless chain-type shelf mechanism 58 are all connected to a common drive shaft 84 (FIG. ll) and all of the drive pin moving mechanisms hi) of each endless chaintype shelf mechanism 53 rotate in unison with the common drive shaft 34. Therefore, there must be some means provided for activating one of the endless chain-type shelf mechanisms 58 and not activating any other of the endless chain-type shelf mechanisms 58. This is done by the provision of selector relays 16% When the purchaser selects a particular item, the purchaser feeds this information into the vending machine by activating actuators, which will be explained, and a selector relay 166 corresponding to that selection is energized. When the selector relay 16% is energized, it pulls in its armature 162 towards itself as illustrated in FIG. 13 in dotted lines. The energizing of the relay 16 i and the pulling in of the armature 162 pivots actuator arm 16% connected to the armature 162. If desired the actuator arm 16 can be pivotally connected to armature 162 and biased for movement in unison by a spring. This prevents chattering of the armature 162 when the actuator arm 164 is moved out of the Way by the spaced and fixed plates 92 as will be seen.

Operation of selector relay moves the actuator arm 1&4 into the path of the drive pin moving mechanism 90. Each of the movable plates 96 has a latching edge 166 formed thereon and the latching edge 156 as it rotates in unison with the common drive shaft 84 and the fixed and spaced plates 92, engages the actuator arm 164 of selector relay 168 and is retained by the actuator arm tee from further movement, as shown in FIG. 14. PEG. 14 represents the condition when the latching edge 166 is .rst engaged by the actuator arm 164 and it should be noticed that the drive pin 5% is in its inward position in the radial slot M2- and positioned in the righthand or trailing end of the arcuate slot 154 as viewed in EEG. l4.

arsena s It should be noticed that the arcuate slot 1114 extends outwardly in radial fashion as the slot moves from right to left as viewed in FIG. 14, and because of this configuration, the drive pin 88 is moved from its inward position in the radial slot 102 as shown in FIG. 14 to its outward position in radial slot 162 as shown in FIGS. 16 through 19.

After the latching edges 166 have been engaged by the actuator arm 164, the movable plates 96 do not rotate with the fixed and spaced plates 92 as the drive pin mechanism 90 continues rotation under the drive of the common drive shaft 34. The movable plates 96 remain stationary and in contact with the actuator arm 164 as the drive pin moving mechanism 911 continues its rotation. A movable plate spring-biased latching element 163 rotatably positioned on spring post 169 attached to the upper of the fixed and spaced plates 92 is spring biased by a wound spring 1'73 into contact with the cam surface 171 of the upper one of the movable plates 96, as viewed in FIG. 14. The spring biased latching element 168 rides on cam surface 171 until the latching surface 170 moves underneath the movable plate spring-biased latching element 168 as shown in FIG. 15. The movable plate spring-biased latching element 168 thereafter rotates and is biased against the latching surface 176 of the upper of the movable plates 96 as shown in solid in FIG. 15. The fixed and spaced plates 92 of the drive pin moving mechanism 9t} continue rotation with respect to the movable plates 96 until the actuator arm camming surfaces 172 formed on the fixed and spaced plates 92 engage the actuator arm 164 and move the actuator arm 164 out of the way so as to enable the latching edges 166 of the movable plates 96 to move underneath the actuator arm 164 so as to thereafter move in unison with the fixed and spaced plates 32, as will be explained. This particular situation is best illustrated in FIG. 16 and as can be seen in EEG. 16 the drive pin 38 is at its outermost point in the radial slot 102 and completely over to the left in the arcuate slot 104. The drive pin 88 is now in its driving position. As soon as the movable plates 96 have cleared the actuator arm 164, the spring element 108, which biases the movable plates 96 toward the counter-clockwise position as viewed in FIGS. 14 to 20, tends to rotate the movable plates 96 back to their original position and relative to fixed and spaced plates 92. However, the movable plate spring-biased latching element 163 moves against the notch surface 174 in the upper movable plate E6 and thereby prevents the rotation of the movable plate 95 under the force of the spring element 1118. Thereafter, the movable plates 96 rotate in unison with the fixed and spaced plates $2 and do so until the movable plate spring-biased latching element 168 is disengaged from the notch surface 17 4.

Initially, the sector-shaped locking member 128 is positioned up against the spacers 94 by biasing spring 144 as shown in FIG. 13 and specifically the arcuate drive surface 134 of the sector-shaped locking member 123 is positioned up against the spacers $4. As the drive pin moving mechanism M5 continues rotation (FZGS. 17 and 18), the drive pin 88 engages the arcuate drive surface 134 of the sector-shaped locking member 12 8 and pushes the sector-shaped locking member 12% away from the spacers 94 as best illustrated in FIG. 18 and consequently causes a pin element 176 securely positioned on the inner surface of the sector-shaped locking element 128 to be pushed out of the star slot 126 as is illustrated in dotted lines in FIG. 18. The purpose of the element 176 is to prevent the star-shaped gear member 114 from rotating due to the weight of the articles of merchandise supported on its associated endless chain-type shelf mechanism 53. This insures that the star-shaped gear member 114 will move only under the driving force of the drive pin 88.

Subsequently, the drive pin 88 moves into one of the appropriately positioned star slots 126 of the star-shaped gear member 114 (FIG. 18), and thereafter rotates the star-shaped gear member 114 a predetermined distance (FlG. 19), thus causing the first drive gear 122 to rotate to thereby cause the rotation of the second and third drive gears 14% and 150, respectively, and consequentiy the rotation of the driving sprockets 32 and therefore the movement of the L-shaped shelves 61 in the L-shaped and U-shaped rails 70 and 68 respectively of the endless chain-type shelf mechanism 58. The starshaped gear member 114 and the L-shaped shelves 60 continue rotation as long as the drive pin 83 is positioned in an associated star slot 126, and after the drive pin 88 in its continual rotational movement moves out of the star slot 126 in the star shaped gear member 114 (FIG. 20), the star-shaped gear member 114 discontinues rota tion causing a subsequent discontinuance of rotation of the first, second and third drive gears 122, and 150, respectively, thus discontinuing the movement of the driving sprockets 82 and the L-shaped shelves 60. As the drive pin 88 moves upwardly along the arcuate drive surface 134 of the sector-shaped locking member 128 (FIG. 19), biasing spring 144 moves the sector-shaped locking member 128 back to its original position up against the spacers 94 of the drive pin moving mechanism 913, as can be seen in FIG. 20 again locking the star shaped gear member 114 with pin element 176 of the sector-shaped locking element 128.

An unlatching pin element 178 is fixed to the frame member 118 (FIG. 13) and is so positioned so as to move the movable plate spring-biased latching element 168 outwardly from its position in engagement with the latching surface 172 and the notched surface 1'74 so as to enable the movable plates 96 to be rotated back to their original position by the spring element 1%, as can be seen in FIG. 20. The unlatching pin element 178 engages the movable plate spring-biased latching element 168 as the movable plate spring-biased latching element 1% rotates underneath, and moves it outwardly and allows the movable plates to rotate back to their original position as stated.

In assembling a candy-pastry unit, it is desirable that they be of the same overall dimensions for standardization purposes. Each candy-pastry unit comprises a plurality of endless chain-type shelf mechanisms 56 which have been described in detail. The plurality of endless chain-type shelf mechanisms 58 have a common drive shaft 84 and are assembled together so as to be selectively operated. The exact and minute details of the means such as posts and bolts and nuts, etc., utilized to assemble the plurality of endless chain-type shelf mechanisms 58 together are not provided inasmuch as one skilled in the art can so provide.

THE MINT-GUM UNIT 42 The mint-gum unit 42 is illustrated in FIGS. 4, 8 and 21 through 25 The mint-gum unit 42 is movable inwardly and outwardly in the cabinet 12 for ease of loading and in the illustrated embodiment of the invention, eight different mint or gum articles can be dispensed from the vending machine. Four articles of merchandise can be dispensed from the lower portion of the mint-gum unit 42 and four articles of merchandise can be dispensed from the upper portion of the mint-gum unit 42 and the items of merchandise fall to a collector tray 2111 (FIG. 4), inclined toward a delivery chute of tray 51 and are then delivered to the delivery chute or tray 52.

The mint-gum unit 42 is substantially rectangular in configuration and is provided with four upper merchandise storage sections 2% and four lower merchandise storage sections 202. in these storage sections 200 and 2&2, mint and gum, for example, can be stacked one upon the other. The merchandise is dispensed to collector tray 2511 and then delivery tray 52 by the selected article of merchandise being pushed out of the front of the mint-gum unit 42 by the dispensing mint and gum mechanism 204, in a manner isease it i which will be explained. After an article has been dispensed from the mint and gum unit 42 all the articles of merchandise in the column from which the selected article was dispensed move down one position under the force of gravity.

The dispensing mechanism 204 comprises a drive motor 296 that is drivingly connected to a pair of cams 2% positioned on either side of the mint-gum unit 42 through a drive linking mechanism 216 that can be of any known type. Connected to each of the cams 2% on the outside of the mint-gum unit 42 are drive arms 212, 214 and 216. Drive arm 212 is pivotally connected to the cam 20:; by any means known to those skilled in the art and drive arms 212, 214 and 216 are pivotally connected to one another at pivot point 218 and can be pivotally tied to one another by any known means. Therefore, the drive arms, 2E4, 216 and 218 can pivot with respect to one another. Also, drive arms 214 and 216 are pivoted at their outer ends to their respective mint and gum activator mechanisms 22%. Drive arms 214 and 216 pivot at 219 and 221 respectively.

The mint and gum activator mechanism 220 illustrated in the upper part of the mint-gum unit 42 is identical to the mint-gum activator mechanism 22% illustrated in the lower portion of the mint-gum unit 42 and only the mint and gum activator mechanism 22% illustrated in the bottom portion of the mint-gum unit 42 Will be explained in detail. The drive arms 216 are connected to the mint and gum activator mechanisms 22% through slots 222 provided in the drive arms 216. A pair of drive pins 224 connected to the mint and gum activator mechanism 22b are positioned in a pair of elongated drive slots 226 formed in the mint-gum unit 42. The portions of the pair of drive arms 216 adjacent the bottom of slot 222 are positioned in circular grooves 221 in the pair of drive pins 224. The pair of drive pins 224 extend through the pair of elongated drive slots 22 3 and are connected at their other ends to the mint and gum activator mechanism 229 by pins 223. Pins 223 extend through the mounting bracket 230 of the activator drive mechanism 220 and the drive pins 224 and are held in place by retaining rings 22%. p

The mint and gum activator mechanisms 22% each comprise a mounting bracket 238 upon which are mounted selector units 232. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the selector units 232 comprise a pair of selector arms 234 and 236, which are mirror images of one another. The selector arms 234 and 236 are connected together as .a unit and the selector units 232 are bolted to the mounting bracket 23%) by means of machine screws 238. As stated the mounting bracket 23% is connected to a .pair of drive pins 224 and can be fastened thereto in any convenient manner.

An auxiliary drive pin 240 is connected to the mounting bracket 231i} and is positioned in one of the pair of elongated drive slots 226 as can be seen in FIG. 24 of th drawings. Drive pin 24% reduces binding and smoothes the oscillatory movement of the activator mechanisms 22% in the slots 226. Each selector unit 232 is comprised of a stationary plate member 242, formed in a tJ-shape, and two movable arm members 23 and 236. The movable arm members 234 and 236 are pivotaily connected to the stationary plate member 242 by means of pins 246 which are connected to the stationary plate member 242 movable arm members 234 and 236 in any manner and in the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the pins 246 have one of their ends turned over or flattened out so as to retain the movable arm members 234 and 23% in a pivotal relationship. Each movable arm member 234 or 236 has a spring post 243 positioned thereon and attached thereto and the spring post 248 extends through an elongated slot see positioned in the stationary plate member 242. The length of the elongated slot 252 in the sta tionary plate member 2 32 determines the freedom of movement of the movable arm member 234 or 236 with respect to the stationary plate member 242 because the spring post 248 extends through the elongated slot 25% and the extent of movement of the movable arm member 234 or 236 will necessarily be restricted by the elongated slot 255 A second spring post 252 is mounted on each stationary plate member 2 .2 and an over-center spring 254 is wrapped around the spring post 2 2-8 and the spring post 252 and extends therebetween and because of the nature of the over-center spring 254 biases the removable arm member 244- to either one end or the other end of the elongated slot 25%, that is, either the upper end or the lower end of the elongated slot 259.

The movable arm member 234 or 236 has an actuator arm 2-56 formed thereon and When the actuator arm 255 is moved from one position to the other, the over-center spring 254 secures the movement. The over-center spring 25- initially resists movement but after a predetermined movement of spring 25 5 the center position of the spring is reached and thereafter spring 254 aids in further movement, so as to give a positive positioning of the movable arm member 234 or 236 in either one of two positions. Therefore, the movable arm member 234 or 236 can be "toyed into one of two positions, as shown clearly in FIGS. 23 and 25 in solid and dotted lines.

A plurality of selector magnets 253, one each for each movable arm member 234 and 236 is positioned rearwardly in the mint-gum unit 42 (FIGS. 21 and 25) and each is provided with a pivotal armature 254! that is activated by the selector magnets 258 to an operate position (PEG. 25), where the pivotal armature 26% engages the actuator 256 of a movable arm member 234 or 236 to actuate or rotate the movable arm member 234 or 236 into a dispense position (FIG. 25 dotted lines). A deactivator bracket 262 is positioned forwardly in the mint-gum unit 22 and for the purpose of engaging the actuator arm 256 when the mint and gum selector mechanism 22% moves to the front of the machine to move the movable arm member 234- or 236 from its dispensing position back to its normal position (FIG. 25 solid lines), and this is accomplished by the actuator arm 256 engaging and being moved from its dispensing position back to its normal position by the tie-activator bracket 262. As can be seen, the mint and gum actuator mechanism 22% moves completely behind the merchandise to be dispensed inasmuch as the actuator movable arm member 234- or 236 must be put into a dispense position before it can engage the rear of the article to be dispensed.

A front dispensing door 264 (FIG. 25), is pivotally secured to the mint and gum unit 42 se ves the purpose of activang a micro-switch 256 it the door is moved by an article being dispensed.

The articles of merchandise to be dispensed are supported on bottom support sections ffiti under which the mint and gum activator mechanisms oscillate back and forth when in use. However, a plurality. four in number, of bottom support slots 272 are provided, FIGS. 23 and 25, in each bottom support section 278; one for each merchandise storage section 263% or 292 to enable the articles of merchandise to be pushed out of the front of the mint and gum unit by activated upwardly extending movable arm members 234 or 23-6 of the mint and gum activator mechanisms 22% as will be seen in the section herein entitled Operation.

THE SELECTOR MECHANISMS The candy-pastry selector mechanism 46 and the mintgum selector mechanism :8 are functionally equivalent although they need not be physically identical in every detail. For example, the configuration of the buttons that are activated in the candy-pastry selector mechanism 46 may not be of the same shape as those in the mintgum selector mechanism 43. in PEG. 1, the buttons of the mint-gum selector mechanism 43 are circular in configuration and the buttons of the candy-pastry selector mechanism are generally rectangular in configuration and also the candy-pastry selector mechanism is inclined to the front face of the front door t l.

Reference is had to FIGS. 26 through 39 wherein the candy-pastry selector mechanism 46 is illustrated. The

candy-pastry selector mechanism 46 comprises a rectangular selector support member 30%? extending almost the entire length of the candy-pastry mechanism 46 on which the various components of the candy-pastry selector mechanism 46 are mounted. A plurality of selector push buttons 302 are mounted through the front face 304 of the rectangular selector support member 390 and extend through the rear face 366 of the rectangular selector support member 300. The plurality of selector push buttons 302 each have formed thereon a first spring actuator 398, a second spring actuator 310, and a retainer pin 312. The first spring actuator 338, the second spring actuator 310, and the retainer pin 312 of the selector push button 302 can all be of circular configuration and the particular procedure used for rigidly securing the first spring actuator 363, the second spring actuator 310, and the retainer pin 312 to the selector push button 3%2 within the rectangular selector support member 36%) is not of inventive importance as this can be done by any means known to those skilled in the art.

Slidably positioned with respect to the rectangular selector support member 366 are a plurality of selector actuator assemblies 314. The selector actuator assemblies 314 are positioned in and slidably guided by a plurality of actuator slots 316 which are elongated in configuration as can be clearly seen. The selector actuator assemblies 314 each comprise an .L-shaped clutch plate 318 positioned on the inside of the rectangular selector support member 300 and an actuator pin assembly 320. The actuator pin assembly 320 comprises a flat plate 322 connected to the L-shaped clutch plate 313 by a plurality of rivets extending through the actuator slot 316 and an actuator pin 324. Positioned between the L-shaped clutch plate 318 in the selector actuator assembly 314 and the first spring actuator 308 of the selector push button 302 is a clutch spring 326.

In order to prevent the actuation of the selector mechanism when the delivery door 54 is open, a delivery door senser 328 is connected to the clutch plate 318 by any means and is positioned relative to clutch plate 318 as can be seen in FIG. 29. The function and purpose of the delivery door senser 323 will be explained more fully.

Positioned between the second spring actuator 310 of the selector push button 3432 and the rear wall 306 of the rectangular selector support member 3% is return spring 332. The return spring 332 is not as strong as the clutch spring 326 and the reason therefor will be ex plained later.

Positioned on the upper side of the rectangular selector support member 300 as seen in FIGS. 26, 27 and 30 are a plurality of anti-cheat washers 334. The anti-cheat washers 334 have a large circular face 336 and a small circular face 338 positioned on opposite sides of an associated elongated anti-cheat slots 34% formed in the rectangular selector support member 300 as can be clearly seen in the drawings. The large circular face 336 and the small circular face 338 of the anti-cheat washers 334 are joined together through elongated anti-cheat slot 349 by a rivet or any other appropriate means. The elongated anti-cheat slots 340 are formed in the rectangular selector support member 3% and extend parallel to the longest sides thereof as can be seen in the drawings. The diameter of the large circular face 336 of the anti-cheat washers 334 and the length of the elongated anti-cheat slots 346) are so related that when an actuator pin 324 is pushed between two adjacent anti-cheat washers 334, no other actuator pin 324 of any actuator pin assembly 320 can be inserted between any two adjacent anti-cheat'washers 334. Also, it is impossible to have two actuator pins 324 inserted simultaneously between any two adjacent anti-cheat washers 334 inasmuch as there is not enough room.

Associated with each actuator pin assembly 320 is a locking cam 342. Each locking cam 342 is pivotally connected to the rectangular selector support member 300 by a first pivot pin assembly 344 of any known type. Each locking cam 342i-s further connected to a common locking bar 346 by a second pivot pin assembly 343 which also can be of any known type. A miono-switch mounting plate 350 is welded or otherwise connected to the rectangular support member 300 and is provided with a plu rality of actuator pin slots 352 which permit the actuator pins 324 of "the actuator pin assemblies 326 to iireely move in their associated actuator slots 316. Positioned on the micro-switch mounting plate 350 adjacent each slot 352 are a pair of micro-switches 354 and 356 which can be utilized to energize a locking bar solenoid 360 as will be explained. Each locking cam 342 has formed therein a cam surface 358 adapted to cause the lateral movement of the locking bar 346 when the associated actuator pin 324 engage-s the cam surface 358, all as will \be explained.

After the selector mechanism has been assembled as previously described, it operates and functions in the following manner. When a purchaser desires to select a particular item corresponding to a pre-determined selector push button 302, the purchaser pushes a selected selector push button 302 inwardly as viewed in the drawings. Rigidly connected second spring actuator 310 compresses the return spring 332 and the selector push button 302 continues its inward movement. The second spring actuator 310 of the selector push button 302 moves away from the upright face of the L-shaped clutch plate 318. However, the clutch spring 326 exerts a force against the opposite side of the upright face of the L-shaped clutch plate 318 and also drives the clutch plate 318 in an inward direction, thus the selector actuator assembly 314 moves inwardly, causing the actuator pin assembly 320, including the actuator pin 324 to move inwardly through the actuator pin slot 352 of the micro-switch mounting plate 350 and the actuator slots 316 of the rectangular selector support member 300, and the actuator pin 324 also moves against the cam surface 358 of the locking cam 342. As the actuator pin 324 bears against the cam surface 358 of the locking cam 342 as it moves inwardly it moves the locking cam 342 to the left till a clockwise movement thus moving the locking bar .346 to the right as viewed in the drawings, *FIGS. 26, 27 and 30. Inasmuch as every locking cam 342 is pivotably connected to the locking bar 346 they must all move with the locking bar 346 thus forcing all the remainder of the locking cams 342 to be notated to the left or clockwise and the locking bar 346 is moved to the right. The final position of the actuator locking cam 342 and associated actuator pin 324 associated with the selected push button 302 is illustrated in FIG. 27, and the final position of the remainder of actuator pins 324 and locking cams 342 associated with the unselected push buttons 302 is shown in FIG. 30.

As the actuator pin 324 moves between the anti-cheat washens 334, each washer to the-left of the actuator pin 324 is moved so that it is positioned as far to the left in its associated elongated anti-cheat slot 34% as is possible and each anti-cheat washer 334 to the right of the energized actuator pin 324 is moved as far to the right in its associated elongated anti-cheat slot 340 as is possible. Thereafter, no other actuator pin 324 can move between any anti-cheat washers 334 until the actuator pin 324 has been released from its inward activated position.

During its inward movement, the actuator pin 324 energizes i-ts pair of associated micro-switches 354 and 356, thus energizing the locking bar solenoid 360. The energization of locking bar solenoid 360 exerts a force on the locking bar 346 to help maintain the locking bar to the right as viewed in the drawings, thereby locking in the actuator pin 324.

DELIVERY DOOR INTERLOCK ASSEMBLY 400 A vending machine incorporating the features of the invention is provided with a delivery door assembly 40% comprising an inner delivery tray 51 and an outer delivery 

1. A ROTATABLE STROAGE UNIT COMPRISING: A RAIL SUPPORT MEMBER FORMING A PAIR OF SPACED RAILS EXTENDING IN A CLOSED LOOP PATTERN; A PLURALITY OF INDIVIDUAL SHELF UNITS EACH COMPRISING A VERTICAL SURFACES HINGEDLY CONNECTED ON TO THE SAID VERTICAL SURFACES HINGEDLY CONNECTED ON TO THE OTHER IN AN ENDLESS CHAIN ARRANGEMENT AND EACH BEING PROVIDED WITH A PAIR OF SPACED RAILS ENGAGING ELEMENTS AND EACH OF SAID RAIL ENGAGING ELEMENTS POSITIONED IN SAID PAIR OF SPACED RAILS IN SAID RAIL SUPPORT MEMBER; A DRIVE RAILS IN SAID RAIL SUPPORT MEMBER AND COMSPACED RAILS IN SAID RAIL SUPPORT MEMBER AND COMPRISING, A FIRST DRIVING MEANS AND A FIRST DRIVEN MEANS SELECTIVLY ENGAGEABLE WITH ON ANOTHER FOR COUPLING MOTION FROM SAID FIRST DRIVING MEANS TO SAID FIRST DRIVEN MEANS, SAID FIRST DRIVEN MEANS ENGAGEABLE WITH AT LEAST ONE OF SAID PLURALITY OF SHELF UNITS ALONG AT LEAST ONE HINGE CONNECTION FOR DRIVING SAID PLURALITY OF SHELF UNITS IN SAID PAIR OF SPACED RAILS IN SAID RAIL SUPPORT MEMBER, AND ACTUATING MEANS FOR CAUSING SAID FIRST DRIVING MEANS TO COUPLED WITH AND ENGAGE ITS ASSOCIATED DRIVEN MEANS WHEREBY SAID ENDLESS CHAIN ARRANGEMENT OF SHELVES IN DRIVEN IN SAID SPACED RAILS OF SAID RAIL SUPPORT MEMBER. 